Salmonella outbreak in southwest Alberta

Under a very high magnification of 12000X, this undated colourized scanning electron micrograph shows a large grouping of Gram-negative Salmonella bacteria. (REUTERS/Janice Haney Carr/CDC/Handout/Files)

QMI Agency

With more than 30 cases currently reported -- the first on Dec. 13 -- the Lethbridge, Alta., contingent of Environmental Public Health is investigating, aided by Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health.

Many of the infections are suspected to be through household contacts, AHS said in a Monday-issued advisory.

Symptoms of infection include dehydration, diarrhea that may contain blood, abdominal cramps, fever, vomiting and nausea -- all of which may show six to 72 hours after infection and can last for several weeks.